Citizen Services
U.S. Citizen Services
Arrests
If you are an American citizen and you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify the U.S. Consul immediately. Consuls cannot act as your attorney or have you released from jail. Since you are in a foreign country you are subject to its laws. However, Consuls can work to protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are treated in the same manner as Mexican prisoners.They can provide a list of attorneys, provide information on the Mexico's legal system, offer to contact the arrested American's family or friends, visit on a regular basis, protest mistreatment, monitor jail conditions, provide dietary supplements, and keep the State Department informed.